In Her Time trainer Ben Smith hoping for change in fortunes at the barriers for Tatt's Tiara

NEWCASTLE trainer Ben Smith was hoping for a change in luck at the draw and some sunshine to finish off race favourite In Her Time’s preparations for the group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara this week.

Trainer Ben Smith

In Her Time and Kris Lees’ Danish Twist are set to carry Hunter hopes in the $500,000 weight-for-age fillies and mares feature at Doomben on Saturday after nominations closed on Monday.

Smith’s four-year-old mare was the $3.50 favourite for the race, her fourth consecutive group 1 mission, with TAB Fixed Odds.

In Her Time has jumped from 10, 11 and 12 at her past group 1 efforts for two fifths and an impressive last-start second in the Stradbroke Handicap.

A successful front-runner, In Her Time has been stuck three deep or worse at Doomben in her past two runs and Smith was hoping for a draw closer to the fence on Wednesday.

“Somewhere around the four to eight mark would be a good barrier for her,” Smith said.

“She hasn’t seen the rail in a long time.”

The Doomben surface was rated a Soft 7 on Monday ahead of In Her Time’s final fast hit-out on the course proper on Tuesday morning. Jockey Josh Parr was flying to Queensland on Monday night to put her through her paces. Smith expected conditions to suit In Her Time on Saturday.

“I’m sure it will be fine, but we will get a better guide there in the morning,” he said. “Sunshine is predicted so hopefully it will dry out a bit more. Dead to early soft range, she doesn’t mind it. As long as she’s got a bit of foot in there, she’s fine.

“The work tomorrow will top her off, then it will be just slow work the rest of the week. Touch wood, everything is going fine, and she loves it up here. She’s really thrived and she’s enjoying herself. She just keeps getting better and stronger.”

Meanwhile, Thursday’s Newcastle meeting on the Beaumont track was moved on Monday to the course proper after Racing NSW Stewards inspected a water-logged section from the 100m mark to past the winning post.